Dental patient models

ABSTRACT

A model head including a jaw insert having layers of varying materials replicating the anatomical features of a human jaw. The jaw may include a mock nerve system that provides a signal to indicate the condition of the nerve. The jaw also may include a circulatory system including vessels that simulate the bleeding that occurs when a vessel in a human has been damaged.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/623,449, filed on Jan. 16, 2007, entitled “Dental Patient Models”which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/762,639, filed Jan. 27, 2006, and entitled Dental Patient Models andMethods of Making Same, both of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to dental patient models for performingdental procedures.

To develop skills, learn new techniques or demonstrate new products inthe field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, it is beneficial for thestudent or practitioner to have the opportunity to perform surgicalprocedures on a repeated basis. Unfortunately, there are not alwaysenough patients to provide a steady supply of opportunities.Furthermore, many patients tend to have different and unique problems,which does not allow equal and consistent opportunities.

In addition, the treatment protocol for which the student andpractitioner need training may call for a series of procedures. Forinstance, the protocol may include site preparation and restoration,grafting, impressions, and prosthetic implantation, each of which mayrequire a recovery time or preparation time in between each procedure.Accordingly, a treatment protocol may span over a year or more, therebymaking it difficult to experience and fully appreciate the entireprocedure. Therefore, it would be beneficial to perform lengthyprotocols in a simulated and accelerated manner.

As an alternative to patients, cadavers are used for practicingprocedures. However, because each cadaver presents a unique dentalproblem and the condition of a cadaver may be unpredictable, it isdifficult to provide an equal basis for practice using cadavers. Thisalso makes it difficult to assess performance relative to others.

As an alternative to both patients and cadavers, models have beendeveloped to simulate a human head with a jaw designed for dentalprocedures. For example, these models have included a cart with dentalequipment, such as a flushing device, drills, a suction device, and amodel head mounted thereon. The model head includes a jaw opening, amodel jaw insert, and non-functional eyes. The model jaw insert isdisposed within the model head and is accessible through the jawopening. The jaw insert includes teeth on which dental procedures can beperformed. The human models have a number of shortcomings associatedwith their rudimentary structure and, consequently, do not provide avivid, realistic experience in performing many surgical procedures.

Accordingly, a need remains for a patient model that can provide a morerealistic and consistent opportunity to perform both routine and complexoral surgical procedures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a patient model according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the model jaw of the patient model of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the maxilla of the patient model of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the maxilla of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the model bone structure of the mandibleof the patient model of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the mandible of FIG. 5 withthe front portion of the mandible in phantom;

FIG. 7 is a partially assembled view of a wire configuration used for amock nerve system in the patient model of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the mandible of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the nerve system of the patient modelof FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the mandible of FIG. 5 with teeth and agingival layer covering the bone structure;

FIG. 11 is a front view of an assembled model jaw insert according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the assembled model jaw insert of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the assembled model jaw insert of FIG.11;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the assembled model jaw insert of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the assembled model jaw insert of FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the model bone structure of a mandibleof a model jaw insert according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the mandible of FIG. 16 being mountedon a mandible base plate according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the mandible of FIG. 16 mounted on themandible base plate in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the mandible of FIG. 18 with a gingivallayer covering the bone structure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the mandible of FIG. 19 and a tonguebeing mounted on the mandible base plate in accordance with theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the mandible of FIG. 20 with the tonguemounted on the mandible base plate and a buccal mucosa/lip layer beingmounted therein in accordance with the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the mandible of FIG. 21 with the buccalmucosa/lip layer mounted thereon;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the mandible of FIG. 22 being mountedon a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is perspective view of the mandible of FIG. 23 being secured tothe frame;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the bone structure of a maxilla of amodel jaw insert according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the maxilla of FIG. 25 with a gingivallayer covering the bone structure;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the maxilla of FIG. 26 with sinuslinings being mounted thereon according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the maxilla of FIG. 27 with a buccalmucosa/tip layer being mounted thereon according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the maxilla of FIG. 28 being mounted onthe frame of FIG. 24 to produce a model jaw insert according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the model jaw insert of FIG. 29 with amounting plate being mounted thereon according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 31 is the model jaw insert of FIG. 30 with a skull cap beingmounted thereon according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an assembled model head according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a front perspective view of the assembled model head of FIG.32;

FIG. 34 is a front view of an assembled model head according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a suture board according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a bottom view of the suture board of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a side sectional view of the suture board of FIG. 35;

FIG. 38 is a top view of yet another suture board according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional, side view of the suture board of FIG. 38showing a model jaw thereon;

FIG. 40 is a top view of the suture board of FIG. 39 showing a model jawmounted thereon;

FIG. 41 is a front view of the model jaw shown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a bottom view of the model jaw shown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 43 is a top view of the model jaw shown in FIG. 40 with a portionremoved to show fluid vessels; and

FIG. 44 is a back view of the model jaw shown in FIG. 40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a model head 30 according toone embodiment of the present invention. The model head 30 is adapted tobe mounted on a suitable support structure, such as a table or a mobilesimulator cart. The model head 30 generally includes a jaw opening 32and functional left and right eyes 34 and 36. As is described in furtherdetail below, each of the eyes 34 and 36 includes at least oneindicator, but for this example, both eyes 34 and 36 include a firstindicator 38 and a second indicator 40. The first and second indicators38 and 40 are adapted to provide a visual indication of the patientsnerve condition.

The model head 30 includes a model jaw insert 42 that is accessiblethrough the jaw opening 32. The model jaw insert 42 is constructed tocorrespond to the anatomy of the mouth and related aspects of a human.For instance, the model jaw insert 42 is constructed of layers havingvarying material properties to fairly represent the different featuresand aspects of a human mouth. The structure of the model jaw insert 42(hereinafter “jaw 42”) will be discussed first and then the method,assembly, and composition of the layers and components will bedescribed.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, the jaw 42 includes an upper jaw or maxilla 44and a lower jaw or mandible 46 that are illustrated in an exaggeratedopen position to resemble the retracted position of the lips and cheeksduring oral surgery. The maxilla 44 and the mandible 46 include acortical layer 48 and a cancellous layer 50, which together replicatethe jaw bones of a human maxilla and mandible (FIGS. 4 and 8). Themaxilla 44 and the mandible 46 define a number of sockets 52 that eachreceive a root 54 of a tooth 56 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5). A gingival layer 58is disposed over the cortical layer 48 of both the mandible 46 and themaxilla 44 and also may form a soft palate 60, a hard palate 62 and anuvula 64 (FIGS. 2 and 28). The gingival layer 58 is attached to thecortical layer 48 by a synthetic periosteum layer (not shown). A layerforming lips 66 and the buccal mucosa (inner cheeks) 68 extends over thegingival layer 58. The jaw 42 also includes a pliable tongue 70 affixedat a proximal location to the mandible 46.

Turning to FIGS. 3, 4 and 14, the maxilla 44 forms a pair of nasalpassages 72 and corresponding maxillary sinuses 74. A pair of softmucosa layers 76 and 78 line the maxillary sinuses 74 and the nasalpassages 72, respectively. Referring to FIG. 10, the jaw 42 may includeperiodontal ligaments 80 coupling the teeth 56 to the gingival layer 58and the sockets 52 (FIG. 5). In addition, the mandible 46 may includeriser blocks 82 (as shown in FIG. 8) extending downwardly from themedial side of the posterior aspects of the mandible 46. The mandible 46and the maxilla 44 also include a periosteum layer (not shown) couplingthe gingival layer 58 to the underlying cortical layer 48. Each of thelayers and components described above may be made of different materialsto realistically replicate the properties of the natural layers andcomponents of a human jaw. The jaw 42 also may include additional layersincluding connective tissue, muscles and glands to even furtherreplicate features of the human mouth.

The following describes a process of making and assembling the jaw 42with reference to FIGS. 15-34. First, a computer tomography (CT) scan istaken of a human head to obtain a three-dimensional (3-D) image of theperson's oral and maxillofacial region. The CT scan provides multiplesectional images of the person's head taken in small slices. Thesectional images are then converted to a digital format recognizable bya 3-D animation and modeling software, such as FreeForm® available fromSensAble Technologies, Inc, of Woburn, Mass. Other alternative 3-Danimation or modeling software may be used for this purpose. The 3-Dmodeling software is used to build a digital, 3-D model of the person'soral and maxillofacial region using the converted CT images. The 3-Dmodel includes the multiple layers and components of the person's oraland maxillofacial region, including the cortical, cancellous andgingival layers, the tongue, cheeks, lips, sinuses and nasal passages.

Next, using the 3-D model, individual, discrete molds are formed foreach layer and component of the person's oral and maxillofacial region.It will be understood that the 3-D model or the molds may be modified sothat CT scans from a single person may be used to make a number ofdifferent jaws. Using a known molding process, such as injectionmolding, models of each layer and component are produced from theindividual molds. The models of each layer may be formed usingpolymer-based materials, such as urethanes. The material of eachartificial layer varies similar to the actual properties of the humanlayers. For instance, the cortical layer may be comprised of a polymerresin that is relatively dense and rigid when cured, such as M11urethane with a hardness of 70 durometer shore D, while the cancellouslayer may be molded of a polymer that is more porous and slightly lessrigid when cured, such as a 70 durometer shore D urethane base with 40%by weight of a micro-bulb filler and a foaming agent, such as water. Thelayers replicating the softer tissues may be formed of polymers thatcure to a flexible, soft, and pliable state, such as F-15 urethanerubber with a hardness of 15 durometer shore A for the tongue, gingivallayer, periodontal membrane (soft tissue around tooth roots), and thesinus membrane. The teeth may be formed by any known means and knowncomposition used to form prosthetic teeth, but in one case is formed of#782 urethane polymer resin with a hardness of 68 durometer shore D asis the cheek and lips. The periosteum layer is made of F-55 urethanerubber with a hardness of 55 durometer shore A, and the connectivetissue is made of #265 urethane foam with a density of 4 pcf. Onceformed, the model layers are assembled to form the jaw 42. In somecases, such as with the cancellous and cortical layers, the layer may beover-molded directly onto the underlying layer. With these structures,the mold can be used for a wide variety of procedures including, but notlimited to, any dento-alveolar and related oral and maxillo-facialsurgical procedures.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-22, the cancellous and the cortical layers 48,50, respectively (shown in FIG. 6) are assembled to form the bonestructure of mandible 46. The teeth 56 are then positioned in thesockets 52 (FIG. 5). A mandible base plate 84 is then slid into grooves86 formed in the underside of the mandible 46. As best shown in FIGS. 15and 17, the mandible base plate 84 includes a stem 88 protrudingdownwardly from the underside of the mandible base plate 84. The stem 88defines a fastener receiving hole 90 extending concentrically therein. Apair of peg receiving holes 92 (FIG. 13) each extend through themandible base plate 84 adjacent and on opposing sides of the stem 88. Atongue support 94 extends upwardly from the top of the mandible baseplate 84.

With reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, the gingival layer 58 is then fittedover the cortical layer 48. Then, the tongue 70 is mounted on the tonguesupport 94, as shown in FIG. 20, and secured together by adhesives,fasteners or other devices. The lip 66 combined with a buccal mucosalayer 96 form self-retaining cheeks, which are then fitted about theedge of the gingival layer 58 and the cortical layer 48, as illustratedin FIGS. 21-22. The lip/buccal mucosa layer 96 defines a fastenerreceiving hole 98 and a pair of peg openings 100 extending through thelip/buccal layer 96. The peg openings 100 are each on opposite sides ofthe fastener receiving hole 98. When the lip/buccal mucosa layer 96 isfitted to the gingival and cortical layers 58, 48, the hole 98 alignswith the fastener receiving hole 90 of the stem 88 (FIG. 15), and theopenings 100 each align with one of the peg holes 92 (FIG. 13).

As shown in FIGS. 23-24, the assembled mandible 46 is then mounted on aframe 102 by inserting a pair of pegs 104 extending from a first panel126 of the frame 102 through the holes 100 in the lip/buccal mucosalayer 96 (FIG. 21) and into the peg receiving holes 92 (FIGS. 13 and 15)of the mandible base plate 84. While a fastener 128, described below,may be sufficient to mount the mandible to the frame 102 without thepegs 104, the pegs may still be desired to limit unintentional rotationof the assembled mandible 46. As illustrated in FIG. 24, the fastener128 is inserted through a fastener receiving opening 108 in the firstpanel 126 of the frame 102 and the fastener receiving hole 98 in thelip/buccal mucosa layer 96 and into engagement with the internallythreaded fastener receiving hole 90 of the stem 88. Tightening of thefastener 128 secures the frame 102 to the mandible 46. Here the benefitof the risers 82 and the stem 88 (FIG. 13) are realized. The risers 82and the stem 88 space the bone structure (the cortical and cancellouslayers 48 and 50) from the surface of frame 102 such that a user mayhave human-like access to the underside of the jaw. The risers 82 arelocated only on the medial side of the lateral (posterior) aspects ofthe mandible and not in the front so as not to block access via thefront (chin) area.

Referring now to FIGS. 25-29, the cortical layer 48 and the cancellouslayer 50 (FIG. 4) are molded or assembled together to form the bonestructure of the maxilla 44, and the teeth 56 are installed in thesockets 52. A synthetic periodontal ligament 80 affixes the teeth 56within the sockets 52 as with the teeth 56 for the mandible 46 (FIG.10). The socket 52 may be configured to allow additional space for theplacement of the ligament 80. Next, the gingival layer 58, including theuvula 64 (FIG. 28), is fitted over the cortical layer 48, as shown inFIG. 26, and the mucosa sinus lining layers 76 are fitted into themaxillary sinuses 74, as shown in FIG. 27. The upper tip/buccal mucosalayer 96 is then fitted atop the cortical layer 48 and over the sinuses74. The assembled maxilla 44 now may be mounted on the frame 102 byinserting a pair of pegs 106 extending from a second panel 190 of theframe 102 into a pair of corresponding peg holes 110 (FIG. 13) definedby the cortical layer 48.

A third panel 192 of the frame 102 defines a pair of pin holes 112 (FIG.23). As shown in FIG. 30, the assembled jaw 42 (FIG. 28) is mounted to amounting plate 114 by inserting a pair of pins 116 extending from themounting plate 114 into the pin holes 112 of the third plate 192 of theframe 102. A fastener, such as a screw 196, secures the mounting plate114 to the third plate 192, which in turn, secures the pegs 116 in themaxilla 44. This secures the maxilla 44 on the pegs 106 of the secondplate 190. The maxilla 44 may also be attached to the mandible 46 byinterlocking tabs, other fasteners, or similar devices.

It will be understood that there are many different ways to secure thejaw 42 to the frame 102 and the frame to the mounting plate 114including structures with or without pegs and screws.

As illustrated in FIGS. 30-32, the mounting plate 114 is attached via aball and socket joint 118 to a mounting rod 120. A skull cap 122 is thenpress-fit mounted onto the perimeter of the mounting plate 114 to formthe completed head 124 (shown in FIGS. 3-34). Other than a press-fit,the skull cap 122 may be secured to the mounting plate 114 by many otherdevices such as fasteners or adhesives to name a few examples. As shownin FIG. 31 in dashed line, by one approach, the skull cap 122 can besecured to the mounting plate 114 by a piston-type structure with one ormore posts 270 fixed to a base 272 on the mounting plate 114. The posts270 reciprocate and lock within block 274 secured to the skull cap 122.A spring loaded release button 276 extends out of the skull cap 122 andengages the posts 270 so that the button 276 can be depressed to slidethe skull cap 122 over the posts 270.

The completed head 124 may be installed via mounting die rod 120 on amobile cart, table, or other support structure. As shown in FIG. 32, theball and socket joint 118 enables the head 124 to pivot and tiltrelative to the rod 120 and a structure, such as the table or the cart,to which it is attached to simulate the freedom of movement of a humanhead relative to a human neck.

The jaw 42 is a three-dimensional replica of the natural mouth anatomyof the original subject. From the molds made from the subject asdescribed above, numerous heads 124 having the identical jaw 42 can bemade to enable an equal and comparable dental practice experience. Inaddition, numerous modified models of the subject's mouth can be made toreplicate the different stages of an extended protocol and to producevariations in anatomy, both normal and pathological. The models may bemodified at the 3-D digital model stage to create modified molds.Accordingly, one may experience, in a few days, a protocol thatotherwise might take over a year to complete with a patient.

The restorative portion of dental implant therapy would occur followingthe surgery. The restorative portion occurs on models, which arecustomized to reflect the same dental configuration as the jaw 42, butreflect the dentition of the patient following surgery. The models aremounted in the mannequin using an articulating hinging jaw which isavailable from multiple manufacturers of dental simulation-laboratorytraining equipment. However, with the accelerated benefit, therestorative portion (which could take months to complete on a patient)can be accomplished in one half-day session with a single model. This isaccomplished by having all stages that would be performed by a dentaltab already completed. Thus, one would only perform the tasks that wouldbe in the dental office (e.g., typical time for these tasks can be lessthan 2 to 4 hours). For example, a dentist would make an impression ofthe patient's mouth and send it to the dental lab to have a stone studymodel made. Similarly for practice sessions, the practitioner makes animpression of the model's mouth and brings or sends it to the simulatedlab. The step of pouring and curing a stone model is avoided during thepractice session, however, because the simulated lab can immediatelyprovide a pre-made, stone model without any wait. This sequence ofevents, as well as other processes performed by both the dental officeand dental laboratory, can be carried out in a realistic sequence untilthe case is completed in the simulated lab in a few hours versus days toweeks and maybe even months in the real world. In addition, because themandible may be assembled separately from the maxilla, the modelmandible of one model may be combined with the maxilla of another modelto create a variety of model patients.

The varying layers of the jaw 42 provide a realistic experience whencutting and drilling through the layers and/or handling the componentsof the jaw 42. Because the layers are constructed using molds producedfrom a 3-D digital model of a human, the molded layers mate with oneanother in a human-like manner.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, the model head 30 also may be equipped with asimulated nervous or nerve system 130. More specifically, the nervesystem 130 may generally include a nerve 132 (FIG. 6), a circuit 134(FIG. 9), and the operable eyes 34 and 36 (FIG. 1) on the model head 30.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the nerve 132 may extend through variousparts of the mandible 46 and the maxilla 44 consistent with the anatomyof the human jaw. The positions of the nerve 132 may differ among modelsto correspond to the variation in the nerve positions on humans. Thesevariations then may be reflected in pre-made radiographs and simulatedmedical records provided, for example, to the dental professionalperforming the simulated dental procedures. The layers are radiolucentso that x-rays may be taken of the models.

The nerve 132 communicates with the circuit 134 by wires that may bedifferent colors to indicate different nerves if multiple nerves 132(such as left side and right side nerves) are provided. Each nerve 132is comprised of a bundle of fine hair-like fibers or wires such thatwhen a wire is severed or sufficient coating is removed from the wire tocause a short-circuit, it is detected by the circuit 134. By oneapproach, as shown in FIG. 7, a thin insulated wire is folded back andforth and then wound around the folded portion of the wire to form arelatively small elongated wire bundle. For example, the bundle may beapproximately 2 mm in diameter to have a dimension that approximatelymatches that of a human nerve. So configured, the fine wire bundlegenerally provides relatively greater sensitivity and, thus, betterresembles the response of a human nerve, like actual nerves while alsooccupying the same space as human nerves would occupy. The nerve 132 maybe configured from very fine, lacquer-coated copper wire. This bundle isembedded into the jaw bone layers as mentioned above.

The circuit 134 may be configured on a circuit board 138 and may bemounted in the skull cap 122 by brackets and/or any other sufficientfastening device. Wires connecting the nerve 132 to the circuit board138 may terminate at one or more panels 194 of quick disconnect clipsalso mounted on the inside of the skull cap 122 as shown in phantom linein FIG. 33. The panel 194 is located where it can be convenientlyaccessed to unplug the wires to remove a jaw and plug in the wires of anew jaw being installed. The circuit board 138 communicates via wires totwo sets of indicators 38, 40.

As shown in FIG. 9, the preferred circuit board 138 includes the circuit134. The circuit 134 has a number of resistors 180 and transistors 182to monitor the current through the nerve(s) 132 and to control theindicators 38 and 40 in response to changes in the current. For example,the indicators 38 and 40 are respectively provided on parallel lineswith the indicator 38 provided on the same line as the nerve 132. Thetransistor 182 interconnects the two parallel lines so that when thenerve 132 is cut, electricity to the indicator 38 is cut off and thetransistor 182 is turned on to provide electricity to the other parallelline with indicator 40. A power supply 136, such as a nine volt battery,may power the circuit 134 and may be mounted on the circuit board 138 oron another place on the model head 30. It will be appreciated thatcircuit 134 may have many different forms than that disclosed here.

A control or on/off switch 184 may be mounted on the circuit board. 138or on the back of the skull cap 122, as shown in FIG. 33, for activatingand deactivating the nerve system 130. When the circuit 134 is on andthe wires of the nerve 132 are intact, the circuit 134 sends a signal tothe first indicator 38 causing the first indicator 38 to provide avisual indication. For instance, the first indicator 38 may be in theform of a green light, which is illuminated when the signal is received.To indicate that the circuit 134 is on, the first indicator 38 mayremain illuminated until the circuit is turned off or the circuitreceives a signal from the nerve 132. When the wire or nerve 132 ispressed against, engaged, severed or damaged (or otherwise passedthrough), the circuit 134 receives a signal (which in this case is thedetection of no energy passing through the nerve 132 but may be in theform of a positive signal or detection of decreased flow of energythrough nerve 132 in other cases). Once electrical flow through thenerve 132 has stopped, the indicator 38 also turns off due to lack offlow, and the circuit 134 turns on the indicator 40 due to resultingincreased voltage provided to the transistor 182. The indicator 40 maybe in the form of a red light or flashing light. When two nerves 132 arepresent, the indicators 38 and 40 in the left eye 34 may provide thecondition of a left nerve 132 while the indicators 38 and 40 of theright eye 36 provide the condition of a right nerve 132.

Although the indicators 38 and 40 are described as being two separatevisual indicators, they could be combined into a single indicator. Forinstance, the indicator could be in the form of a light that is steadilyon until nerve 132 is damaged, at which time the light flashes (orvice-versa), or it may include LEDs that can change color. Further, theindicators may be in the form of an audio indicator or combination ofvisual and audio indicators.

In addition, the nerve 132 could be formed of alternative material otherthan a bundle of fibers. For instance, the nerve also could be made of a“pressure sensitive” material or with some type of electro-magnetic orsonic “beam,” which, when “interfered with” by trauma, would illicitsome type of visual and/or auditory signal. By another approach, thenerve may be a line of sight optical sensor 186 (shown in dashed lineson FIG. 6), provided by a fiber optic cable 188 embedded in the jaw, sothat passing a scalpel or drill through a light beam 198, for instance,will also send a signal to the circuit 134.

Referring to FIGS. 35-37, there is illustrated a suture board 140 with atray 142 on which one or more mandibles 144 or maxillae (not shown) aremounted. The suture board 140 is designed to provide numerousopportunities to practice cutting tissue to create flaps and to performvarious suturing techniques. The mandible 144 is constructed of urethaneor similar substances and is covered with mucosa, periosteum, and theother layers and structure as described in the model 42 above.

The mandible 144 also may be equipped with a circulatory system 146 toemulate blood vessels to provide realistic experiences involvingconsiderations and concerns associated with vessels and bleeding.Although there is illustrated a separate model, a similar circulatorysystem could be incorporated into the previously described jaw 42. Thecirculatory system 146 includes a fluid or imitation blood source 148from which a main fluid passage, vessel or line 150 extends. The bloodsource 148 may be a bag or container containing water or colored fluid.The fluid from the blood source 148 is pumped to and through the mainline 150 via a pump 152 (FIG. 37). A main valve 154 is coupled to themain line 150 and is operable to control the flow through the main line150.

Primary fluid passages formed by primary vessels or branches 156, 158,and 160 may extend from the main line 150 and deliver fluid to differentregions of the mandible 144. Each of the vessels 156-160 is equippedwith a corresponding valve 162-166, which allow the flow of fluid to beselectively controlled to each of the branches 156-160. Secondarybranches 168 extend from the primary branches 156-160 and deliver fluidto specific points in the corresponding regions of the mandible 144. Forinstance, the mandible 144 may include nutrient canals or vessels 170,which feed the bone and tissue surrounding and between the teeth 172. Inpatients, the nutrient vessels are often in hard-to-reach locations,such as between teeth, and damage to the nutrient vessel may bedifficult to control. If the nutrient vessel 170 is ruptured, fluid willdischarge from the branch 168 (FIG. 37), thus replicating the problemsassociated with damaging blood vessels and nutrient canals in patients.The valves 162-166 may be adjusted to help control the pressure in theruptured nutrient vessel and maintain the bleeding effects. Thisprovides an opportunity to experience the difficulties in dealing withruptured vessels and to practice techniques to control the bleeding.

The fluid passages 150 and 156-160 may be formed by tubes extendingalong the bottom of tray 142 or embedded within the tray 142. The tubescan extend through the tray 142 and into the mandible jaw 144 to connectto the nutrient vessels 170 in the jaw. Alternatively, the fluidpassages 150 and 156-160 may be integrally defined by the tray 142 whichwould eliminate additional tubular material.

Referring to FIGS. 38-44, another suture board 200 is provided with acirculatory system 202 that has at least one vessel 204 disposed on ajaw 206 mounted on the board 200. The vessel 204 is in a positionsimulating the position of a blood vessel on a human jaw so that thevessel 204 will discharge fluid if ruptured. In that case, a top 210 ofthe tray 212 has a trough for collecting spilled fluid.

The suture board 200 includes a mounting mechanism 208 to securely mountthe jaw 206 on the top 210 of a tray 212 so that it does not moveunintentionally during surgical procedures. The mounting mechanism 208includes a flange or elongated tab 214 extending transversely acrosstray 212 on the back plate 216. More specifically, the flange 214 islocated on the front side 218 of the back plate 216 and is spaced fromthe top 210 of the tray 212. The jaw 206 includes a groove or slot 220(FIGS. 39 and 44) that receives the flange 214 to secure the back of thejaw 206. The front of the jaw 206 is secured by a locking plate 222 anda pin 224. More specifically, the front of the jaw 206 defines anelongated slot 226 (FIGS. 39 and 41) that receives an edge 228 of thelocking plate 222. The locking plate 222 defines a pin aperture 230 thatreceives the locking pin 224. A bracket 232 on the tray 212 defines athreaded aperture 234 that aligns with the pin aperture 230 when thelocking plate 222 is positioned to secure the jaw 206. The pin 224extends through the pin aperture 230 and is biased toward a locked,extended position by, in one example, a coil spring 264 in a base 236 ofthe pin 224. The base 236 is threaded into the threaded aperture 234 ofthe bracket 232. This configuration for the jaw 206 and the mountingmechanism 208 can be used on suture boards without a simulatedcirculatory system and may have more than one bracket locking mechanismto mount both the mandible and the maxilla on a single board.

Similar to the circulatory system 146, the circulatory system 202 hasfluid passages 238 that extend underneath or within the tray 212 andterminate with openings 240 on the top 210 of the tray 212. The nutrientvessels 204 of the jaw 206 generally align with the openings 240 so thatthe fluid passages 238 can provide pressurized fluid to the vessels 204.A gasket 242 is placed in a groove around one or two openings 240 toprovide a seal between the top 210 of the tray 212 and the bottom of thejaw 206 for the interconnection of the fluid passage 238 and thenutrient vessels 204.

The circulatory system 202 also includes a pump 252, such as a pump-uppressure cuff, connected to a fluid bag 244. The pressurized fluid inthe bag 244 flows through a main tube 246 to a manifold 248. Themanifold separates the fluid to supply the three fluid passages 238.Each fluid passage 238 is controlled by a valve 250 positioned betweenthe manifold 248 and the tray 210. The valves 250 can be used to controlthe amount of flow to the different areas of the jaw 206 and can be usedto cease flow to one or more of the areas of the jaw 206

As with the circulatory system 146, the fluid passages 238 of thecirculatory system 202 also may be formed by channels defined by thetray 12. In the illustrated example, the tray 212 is formed by a base254 and a separate support plate 256 mounted on top of, and secured to,the base 254. The top of the support plate 256 forms most of the top 210of the tray 212. The fluid passages 238 are formed on the top surface258 of the base 254 and are enclosed by the support plate 256. Gasketsor sealing rings 260 are disposed in separate grooves on the top surface258 of the base 254 and around each fluid passage 238 to provide a seatbetween the top surface 258 of the base 254 and the bottom 262 of thesupport plate 256.

Alternatively, the fluid passages may be tubes running along or withinthe tray 212, extending through the tray, and into the jaw 206. Thesuture board 200 may be mounted to a model dental patient head such asthe one described previously. The circulatory system also is not limitedto any particular number of branches or configurations of fluidpassages, channels, or vessels as long as at least one fluid passage andat least one rupturable nutrient vessel is provided.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials,and arrangements of parts and components, which have been hereindescribed and illustrated in order to explain the nature of theinvention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principleand scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dental patient model, comprising: a jawcorresponding to a human jaw and configured to be modified by a surgicaltool, the jaw including; a mandible having a mandibular bone layer; amaxilla having a maxillary bone layer; a mandibular periosteum layer atleast partially covering the mandibular bone layer; and a maxillaryperiosteum layer at least partially covering the maxillary bone layer;and a nerve system including at least one simulated nerve, associatedwith the jaw and corresponding to a human nerve, and at least oneindicator, operatively coupled to the at least one simulated nerve, toindicate a condition of the at least one simulated nerve.
 2. The dentalpatient model of claim 1, the jaw further comprising: a mandibulargingival layer at least partially covering the mandibular periosteumlayer and the mandibular bone layer, wherein the mandibular bone layerdefines at least one mandibular tooth socket, the mandibular toothsocket coupled to a mandibular tooth; and a maxillary gingival layer atleast partially covering the maxillary periosteum layer and themaxillary bone layer, wherein the maxillary bone layer defines at leastone maxillary tooth socket, the maxillary tooth socket coupled to amaxillary tooth.
 3. The dental patient model of claim 1, wherein: themandibular bone layer includes a mandibular cortical layer and amandibular cancellous layer; and the maxillary bone layer includes amaxillary cortical layer and a maxillary cancellous layer.
 4. The dentalpatient model of claim 1, wherein the at least one simulated nerve isdisposed at a position approximating a position of a human nerve of thehuman jaw.
 5. The dental patient model of claim 4, wherein the at leastone simulated nerve includes a conductor configured to allow currentflow in a first operational mode and inhibit current flow in a secondoperational mode, the first and second operational modes affected by aproximity of the surgical tool relative to the at least one simulatednerve.
 6. The dental patient model of claim 1, wherein the at least oneindicator is configured to emit a first signal, to indicate a normalcondition for the nerve system, and a second signal, to indicate acondition deviating from the normal condition for the nerve system.
 7. Adental patient model, comprising: a jaw corresponding to a human jaw andconfigured to be modified by a surgical tool, the jaw including: amandible including a mandibular bone layer defining a mandibular toothsocket, a mandibular tooth coupled to the mandibular tooth socket, and amandibular periodontal ligament coupled to the mandibular tooth; and amaxilla including a maxillary bone layer defining a maxillary toothsocket, a maxillary tooth coupled to the maxillary tooth socket, and amaxillary periodontal ligament coupled to the maxillary tooth.
 8. Thedental patient model of claim 7, further comprising a nerve systemincluding at least one simulated nerve, associated with the jaw andcorresponding to a human nerve, and at least one indicator, operativelycoupled to the at least one simulated nerve, to indicate a condition ofthe at least one simulated nerve.
 9. The dental patient model of claim8, wherein the at least one indicator is configured to emit a firstsignal, to indicate it normal condition for the nerve system, and asecond signal, to indicate a condition deviating from the normalcondition for the nerve system.
 10. The dental patient model of claim 8,wherein the at least one indicator includes a light emitting memberconfigured to be continuously lit, to indicate a first condition for thenerve system, and configured to flash, to indicate a second conditionfor the nerve system.
 11. The dental patient model of claim 7, furthercomprising a circulatory system including a simulated vessel disposed inthe mandible, generally in a position corresponding to a position of ahuman blood vessel, and configured to expel fluid when the simulatedvessel is ruptured.
 12. The dental patient model of claim 7, wherein: atleast one of the mandible and the maxilla are covered by a gingivallayer, a lip, and a cheek, and the lip and the cheek are formed in aretracted configuration, spaced away from the at least one of themandible and the maxilla and the gingival layer, for providingconvenient access to the at least one of the mandible and the maxillaand the gingival layer.
 13. The dental patient model of claim 7,wherein: the mandibular bone layer includes a mandibular cortical layerand a mandibular cancellous layer; and the maxillary bone layer includesa maxillary cortical layer and a maxillary cancellous layer.
 14. Thedental patient model of claim 7, further comprising a connective tissueinsert coupled to the jaw.
 15. A dental patient model, comprising: a jawcorresponding to a human jaw and configured to be cut or drilled by asurgical tool to imitate a dental procedure, the jaw including: amandible having a mandibular bone layer including a mandibular corticallayer and a mandibular cancellous layer and defining a mandibular toothsocket, a mandibular tooth coupled to the mandibular tooth socket, and amandibular gingival layer disposed over the mandibular bone layer; and amaxilla having a maxillary hone layer including a maxillary corticallayer and a maxillary cancellous layer and defining a maxillary toothsocket, a maxillary tooth coupled to the maxillary tooth socket, and amaxillary gingival layer disposed over the maxillary bone layer; and anerve system including a simulated nerve, associated with the jaw andcorresponding to a human nerve, and an indicator, operatively coupled tothe simulated nerve, to indicate a condition of the simulated nerve. 16.The dental patient model of claim 15, wherein the simulated nerve isdisposed at a position approximating a position of a human nerve of thehuman jaw.
 17. The dental patient model of claim 15, wherein thesimulated nerve includes a conductor configured to allow current flow ina first operational mode and inhibit current flow in a secondoperational mode, the first and second operational modes affected by aproximity of the surgical tool relative to the at least one simulatednerve.
 18. The dental patient model of claim 15, wherein the indicatoris configured to emit a first signal, to indicate a normal condition forthe nerve system, and a second signal, to indicate a condition deviatingfrom the normal condition for the nerve system.
 19. The dental patientmodel of claim 18, wherein the first signal includes a first color lightemission and the second signal includes a second color light emission.20. The dental patient model of claim 5, wherein the indicator isconfigured to produce an audible signal.